The Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria, a luxury hotel in Rome, needs little introduction. Boasting the best hotel swimming pool in the city of Rome, the only three Michelin star restaurant in the Eternal City, and famed for its conference facilities, this is a top notch establishment.

While you may not have the chance to stay at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel, either because you either live in Rome, or the hotel is out of your budget, there are lots of magical ideas for external and hotel guests to make the most of this wonderful city resort.

So, without further ado, here are five exclusive services offered by the Rome Cavalieri for the perfect vacation in Rome!

Rome Cavalieri’s Olympic swimming pool: prices & times

Rome Cavalieri is the only hotel to offer a full-sized, Olympic pool in the city which is in use around 6 months a year. This outdoor pool, in the courtyard of the Rome Cavalieri hotel, is an oasis of peace characterised by sunbeds and umbrellas, with a cute outdoor bar, bar service on your sunbed, and two lifeguards always on hand.

Swimming in the pool requires a swimming cap which helps keep the pool’s filters clean. Poolside showers also mean you can have a quick wash before and after swimming in the Rome Cavalieri pool.

This gorgeous pool isn’t cheap but makes a really special day for you and your loved ones. Monday – Friday, expect to pay €80 for a day’s access (children €40), or €115 (children €57.50) on Saturdays and Sundays. The price is per person and includes sunbed, umbrella and towel. The pool area opens at 8am and closes at 8pm at night. Come early to be first in the pool!

Lunch at the poolside L’Uliveto Restaurant at Rome Cavalieri

Hotel Rome Cavalieri hosts one of the most important restaurants in Rome, the three Michelin starred La Pergola, with chef Heinz Beck at the helm. However, if you’re looking for a less formal option, the l’Uliveto restaurant, which serves on a raised terrace just above the pool, offers a range of menus for every taste.

Apart from the regular summer menu this year, L’Uliveto is offering a series of capsule menus, including the Moonight Menu, focusing on raw fish; the Business Lunch, for a quick and satisfying option; and the Arab Menu, which has now become a firm favourite for the last few summers at the Rome Cavalieri.

On my recent visit to the Rome Cavalieri I was delighted to try the Arab Menu. My lunch companion and I started with a wonderful sharing plate encapsulating the flavours of North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and Arab traditions.

This Mezzeh plate is designed for sharing and combines hummus, moutabal eggplant, bulgur wheat tabbouleh, labneg, falafel vegetables, tahini and pita bread (€40).

I then tried a tasty plate of grilled shrimps (€39), served with plump char-grilled vegetables, and finished lunch with a tasty dish of handmade baklava (€15). This was a lovely, summery, vegetable-rich lunch which was balanced and nutritious but tasty at the same time. Highly recommended!

Massage therapy at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel

Did you know that the Rome Cavalieri Hotel boasts some of the most expert massage therapists in the city? Now you do!

I recently went along to the Rome Cavalieri to try a 50 minute massage in the area near the swimming pool. This summer, the hotel has erected a beautiful, outdoor massage tent, covered with white linen curtains, which stands on a private lawn behind the pool. This has been named the cabana and is an area where shorter massages are also offered.

Massage prices in the cabana start at an affordable €40 for 20 minute massages. Massages are also available year round in the spa area, starting at €125 for 50 minutes.

I really enjoyed my massage at the Cavalieri hotel and was very impressed with the standard of massage. In my experience, you often need to go to a specialist to get a good massage, but the highly trained therapists at the Rome Cavalieri can offer you holistic advice and expert observations on what your body needs. Highly recommended.

Hiring a vintage cabriolet Fiat 500 “Spiaggina”

The Rome Cavalieri also knows how to pamper its guests with fun and unusual adventures in the city. A further service involves hiring a car which, on first glance, appears to be a vintage Fiat 500 cabriolet. However, this is actually a restored and converted all-electric vehicle, in line with the Rome Cavalieri’s sustainable ethos.

The Fiat 500 Spiaggina is managed and owned by vintage and electrical car enthusiasts EMotion, who are on hand to lovingly prep the car and make sure it’s fully charged before you go out. Let your concierge advise you on an idea for a city jaunt, taking in some of the city’s most iconic sites, from Piazza del Popolo to the Janiculum Hill. Driving an electric vehicle means you have the green light to explore all of the city, as environmentally-friendly vehicles have no access limits.

Custom aperitivo at the Cavalieri Hotel

As well as hosting superlative restaurants, the Rome Cavalieri hotel is famous for its bars. During the summer months, take a seat on the Tiepolo Terrace, overlooking the pool area, for a unique aperitivo as the sun goes down.

The latest innovation sees an expert barman reach you in your seat with the hotel’s mobile gin trolley. Let an expert mixologist run through the range of premium gins and tonics on offer, or a tasty, grown-up alcohol-free aperitif.

Gins on offer include Hendrick’s Gin, Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, Tanqueray Ten LondonDry Gin, Mediterranean Gin Mare and Roku Japanese Gin. All are flavoured with fragrances and herbs of your choice.

The aperitivo is accompanied with fine, Italian snacks as well as hand-made sushi, prepared on the terrace by expert sushi chefs.

All in all, the summer programme at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel is full of adventure, tempting flavours, and wellness opportunities. Don’t miss out!

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a wellness and gourmet getaway in Umbria, check out this post.

For a rustic stay with a beautiful pool in Tuscany, here’s another idea!

Testaccina was a guest of the Rome Cavalieri

The Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel | Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101 | Rome |Tel +39 0635091